Together Again

Dear Dad,

I took Rylee to Charleston this summer.  We had gone down once before and stayed with some friends, but she was a baby, and it just wasn't the same.  This time we stayed with Grandma!  I know can you believe it.  I think you'd be so surprised by her, Dad.  I sure as hell was!  She was like a normal grandmother.  She loved and cared and cried and hugged.... everything we've been wanting for years!

I can't even begin to describe the AMAZING reaction Rylee had at the ocean!  I almost cried to see her joy!  We got onto Folly towards dinner time, so no swimming that day, but I had to hurry and take Rylee to see the ocean....I just left her capri's on, we weren't going to be gone long.  We walked onto the boardwalk by the pier and she flipped!  She took off running.  Without batting an eye she dove into the ocean, clothes on and all!  I couldn't even believe it!  This is the same child that freaks out if she gets a drop of water on her face!  We spent the whole week playing in the ocean and building sandcastles!  Rylee became a master of the art of poop castles!  The only thing that was missing was you, the sand castle king!

We went to the Aquarium too... you were right, it was so not worth the money!  I was incredibly disappointed!  I mean it was like $30 a piece and they had 1 shark!  Ugh.... Rylee had fun though, that's all that really matters!  They had a skunk there.... I took a picture for G-ma.

The last day I was there, I did the thing I was dreading the most.  I let you go.  Rylee, G-ma and I went down to the battery and threw your ashes into the bay.  We said a few happy words and cried a lot of sad tears.  It eases my mind to know you are in a happy place, one of your favorite in the world!  You are drifting towards Fort Sumter forever looking at Charleston's beautiful, historic city scape!  I hope you're where you want to be!

I love and miss you, Pops, more than you will ever know!

Love,
Daughter